Hollyoaks has unveiled an emotional video offering support to viewers – or anyone – who may be going through a similar situation to Lily Drinkwell, who is about to be the focus of a special self harm episode next week.

The episode sees Lily trying to conceal her secret as the guardians of herself, Peri and Yasmine are called into the school and it leads to the girls all agreeing to keep quiet.

Hollyoaks have been working with charities and organisations such as Mind, Samaritan’s and The Mix in order to ensure the episodes represent the issue appropriately and sensitively and they have also produced the above video which takes a look at the many sides of Lily.

(Picture: Lime Pictures)

The signs of someone self harming aren’t necessarily easy to spot but it encourages anyone watching who is feeling similar to Lily to speak to someone and to reach out to the charities available.

The storyline of Lily has some way to go, with producer Bryan Kirkwood recently telling Metro.co.uk that it will get worse before it gets better.

(Picture: Lime Pictures)

But Hollyoaks run the story in the hope that it will encourage young viewers to seek advice, it will educate parents and guardians and it will stir discussion around the issue.